8.2 Stem cells

Question 1

What are stem cells?

Answer 1

• Undifferentiated cells
• Capable of dividing and differentiating into other types of specialised cells

Question 2

How do stem cells become specialised?

Answer 2

• Stimuli lead to activation of some genes
• So only mRNA from these genes is transcribed and translated

Question 3

Totipotent

Answer 3

found in early mammalian embryos, can divide and differentiate into any type of body cell

Question 4

Pluripotent

Answer 4

found in mammalian embryos, can divide and differentiate into most cell types

Question 5

Multipotent

Answer 5

found in mature mammals, can divide and differentiate into a few cell types

Question 6

Unipotent

Answer 6

found in mature mammals, can divide and differentiate into one cell type

Question 7

How can stem cells be used in treatment of human disorders?

Answer 7

Transplanted into patients to divide and differentiate into heathy cells

Question 8

How are iPS cells produced?

Answer 8

• Obtain adult somatic cells from patient
• Add specific transcription factors from pluripotent cells so they express genes associated with pluripotency
• Culture cells to allow them to divide by mitosis